Well boeing and pro



(No Model.)

G. A. MILLER. WELL BORING AND'PROSPEGTING.'

No. 476,757. Patented June 7, 1892.

Wit/1849866.

Georye UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. MILLER, OF COLFAX, IVASHINGTON.

WELL-BORING AND PROSPECTING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,757, dated June 7,1892. Application filed January 21, 1891. Serial No, 378,526. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Colfax, in the county of IVhitman and State of \Vashington,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in IVell Boring andProspecting; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is an improved method of drilling; and excavating for thepurpose of making a well or prospecting for valuable mineral. Theleading feature of the method consists in dropping an explosive into acavity formed in the earth and then letting a drill-shaft fall upon itto fire and explode it.

In carrying out my invention I proceed in the manner hereinafterdescribed and make use of the apparatus illustrated in accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a View of the drill-shaft surmounted bythe receiving'cylinder and showing the lift-straps in position; Fig. 2,a view of the drill-shaft with a firing-pin in place of the drill; Fig.3,avertical section of the drillshaft, with a pumping-rod and valves forremoving the crushed mass; Fig. 4, a sectional View of a partly-boredwell, showing the explosive-feedin tube and an explosive disk inposition and about to be fired by the descending shaft and firing-pin.

A represents the drill-shaft, which in practice will weigh, say, fromfive hundred to one thousand pounds. It is operated in a reciprocatorymanner by means of any suitable device, the raising being done bymechanical means and the falling by gravity. Lift-straps C6 are securedto the shaft and meet above the sam e, an eyeh connecting them with thehoisting-rope. Thelower end of the shaft is fluted and ovoidal, and inthe center thereof is a socket for the reception of the differentdevices employed.

0 is a central bore, which extends thelength of the shaft and which isused as a pump-rod.

d is a firing-pimwhich is adapted to be inserted in the socket and whichfalls upon the explosive and fires the same, the gravitating forceacting with the force of the explosion causing a double concussion,which thoroughly disintegrates the substance through which the Well issunk.

e is a cylindrical reservoir, which surmounts the drill-shaft and whichis held in place by the lift-straps. The pumping-rod communicates withthe reservoir and delivers the crushed mass therein. The top of thereservoir is provided with a wire-gauze e, or a perforated top may beemployed. This permits the excess of water pumpedinto the reservoir topass from the upper portion thereof and return in a filtered state tothe bottom of the well.

The operation is as follows: The well is first bored by the drillforashort distance to form a seat for the explosive. The explosive isnow dropped into position through the feedingtube Z, the drill-shaft iswithdrawn, and a firing-cap is inserted in the socket in place of thedrill-bit. The shaft and cap are now allowed to fall upon the explosive,which explodes the same, and the gravitating force of the shaft, actingwith the explosive force, thoroughly breaks up the rock or othersubstance through which the well is being bored. The mass is now removedin a dry state if water has not been struck, or water may be runin andthe slush pumped out by means of the pump in the drill-shaft.

I clain1 The method hereinbefore described of boring Wells andprospecting, which consists of, first, forming a seat within the earthfor the explosive; second, in dropping said explosive in position;third, in firing the explosive by allowing the drill shaft and cap todrop thereon, and, fourth, in disposing of the disintegrated mass in themanner set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE A. MILLER. Witnesses:

BELLE M. MORSE, W. G. CAMPBELL.

